A great survey of Cuban history from Pre-Columbian times all the way to the Revolution by one of the preeminent Cuba scholars of our time. Well writteA great survey of Cuban history from Pre-Columbian times all the way to the Revolution by one of the preeminent Cuba scholars of our time. Well written and balanced in its analysis, it is an excellent academic introduction to the study of Cuban history. The author's summary island's past is the result of decades of archival research and its author shows himself to be very aware of historiography produced both in and outside of Cuba. If Gott's book is an introduction for non-historians who want to have a basic understanding of Cuba, Pérez is the introduction for academics who want to lay the groundwork for further study....more
A thrilling account of the emergence of the game of cricket within colonial India. Guha seeks to understand how this very "English" game came to captuA thrilling account of the emergence of the game of cricket within colonial India. Guha seeks to understand how this very "English" game came to capture the Indian imagination. This is social history of a superb kind....more
Dirks sets forth the idea of "the ethnographic state" and alters the more conventional understanding of the caste system as an age-old tradition that Dirks sets forth the idea of "the ethnographic state" and alters the more conventional understanding of the caste system as an age-old tradition that haunted Indian society. Dirks highlights the varied ways in which the colonial state made rigid the fluid boundaries of caste through their need to categorise, tabulate, and catalogue the Indian population....more
A useful account of the emergence of the questions of the legal, paralegal and illegal in the colonial context. Singha looks at issues of justice, penA useful account of the emergence of the questions of the legal, paralegal and illegal in the colonial context. Singha looks at issues of justice, penal reform, and the emergence of "criminal tribes", to narrate an interesting account of the colonial legal history....more
A comprehensive account of the modern Indian colonial period from the late 19th century until independence. Sarkar manages to weld the more nationalisA comprehensive account of the modern Indian colonial period from the late 19th century until independence. Sarkar manages to weld the more nationalist-oriented historiography with an array of sources that highlight the popular, everyday nature of the anti-colonial struggle. A very good primer into the colonial history of the Indian subcontinent....more
The book that launched a thousand imitations and yet remains unparalleled. Sarkar's account of the first wide-spread anti-colonial struggle is a classThe book that launched a thousand imitations and yet remains unparalleled. Sarkar's account of the first wide-spread anti-colonial struggle is a classic in South Asian studies. Bringing a range of hitherto ignored texts and pamphlets into the field of inquiry, Sarkar highlighted the curious histories of the Swadeshi movement fraught with internal strife that would find its nadir in the horrors of Partition in the 1940s....more
A very concise (less than 200 pages of narrative) history of South Asia from around 1600 CE onward. A very accessible and complete explanation of BritA very concise (less than 200 pages of narrative) history of South Asia from around 1600 CE onward. A very accessible and complete explanation of British colonialism in South Asia with a well-rounded perspective of the subsequent nationalist movements....more
An excellent general history of Korea under the Japanese empire, Kim il-Sung's life and rise to power, and how the North Korean government developed tAn excellent general history of Korea under the Japanese empire, Kim il-Sung's life and rise to power, and how the North Korean government developed the way it did. There's also a lot of insight here into the Western academy's problems assembling a decent body of research on the country during the Cold War, and how the works that do exist are often intensely political....more
his is the primer for all things South Korean history during the 20th century. Starting with the history and effects of the long embedded Japanese occhis is the primer for all things South Korean history during the 20th century. Starting with the history and effects of the long embedded Japanese occupation, then moving through the Korean War, the rebuilding, the Korean economic development and social & political upheaval, the Seoul Olympics which was instrumental to South Korea's rise to the global stage, and North & South relations through out. A must read....more
a very readable account of the cultural and media politics of the US occupation of Japan. It examines the transformation of Japan from implacable enema very readable account of the cultural and media politics of the US occupation of Japan. It examines the transformation of Japan from implacable enemy to "geisha ally" in US eyes, and in doing so, explains much of Japan's current relationship with the US. (US occupation of Japan)...more
a history of the colonial expansion of ethnic Japanese ("wajin") north into the island we now call Hokkaido, and the impact of war, famine and diseasea history of the colonial expansion of ethnic Japanese ("wajin") north into the island we now call Hokkaido, and the impact of war, famine and disease on the aboriginal inhabitants they conquered and assimilated....more
A solid review of the past 400 years of Taiwanese history from European colonialism and native settlements up through Ming and Qing era Chinese presenA solid review of the past 400 years of Taiwanese history from European colonialism and native settlements up through Ming and Qing era Chinese presence on the island and through to modern democracy....more
Jones offers us a look at Colonial New Spain through the events of the conquest of the Itza Maya in 1697. Jones digs through the events that lead up tJones offers us a look at Colonial New Spain through the events of the conquest of the Itza Maya in 1697. Jones digs through the events that lead up to, during, and following the conquest with an abundant and impressive list of primary and secondary sources. Jones uses his book as a bridge to meld ethnographic accounts with archaeological evidence to not only shed light on the pre-Columbian Maya, but also to better understand the Itza at the time of conquest. It is a surprisingly insight and entertaining read that sometimes goes unnoticed by scholars, but treasured by the few who do read it....more
In work that is long overdue and quite impressive, Literarian Glen Carman magnificently and expertly deconstructs Hernan Cortes' letters to Charles V,In work that is long overdue and quite impressive, Literarian Glen Carman magnificently and expertly deconstructs Hernan Cortes' letters to Charles V, exploring the diverse strategies employed by the (in)famous Conquistador and his secretary in their attempt to legitimize the destruction of the Aztec Empire. Carman's background in medieval Spanish language is apparent and greatly aids in this detailed unraveling of the textual subtleties of Cortes' writing. Ultimately readers will come to understand the extent of deceptive narration in Cortes and Gomara's works, a realization which is of paramount importance considering how foundational the impressions of these Spaniards are to past and present impressions of the Aztec Empire....more
A history of the colonial Maya as actors on their own stage, Farriss argues that their proven willingness for adaptability, even in pre-Columbian timeA history of the colonial Maya as actors on their own stage, Farriss argues that their proven willingness for adaptability, even in pre-Columbian times, was critical to the Maya's survival....more
Another of Restall's incredible works detailing the cultural persistence of the Maya. Notable for its remarkable usage of rare source material.Another of Restall's incredible works detailing the cultural persistence of the Maya. Notable for its remarkable usage of rare source material....more
The image of the Conquest of Mexico as well as the Americas at larger has left a dramatic impression on not only world history but popular culture as The image of the Conquest of Mexico as well as the Americas at larger has left a dramatic impression on not only world history but popular culture as well. Over the centuries a number of themes ranging from fantastically inaccurate to dangerously ahistorical have become attached to the Conquest, seven of which Restall expertly puts to rest. In the process of overturning these popular misconceptions, Restall teaches many lessons about the nature of historical inquiry and imperialism as a whole which many readers will find both thought-provoking an illuminating. Although his prose can be a bit cluttered at times, most readers will walk away from this this text with a completely different outlook on this remarkable chapter in our history and the societies - both European and American - that took part in it....more
Often the Spanish Conquest is understood as a quick and relatively one-sided affair that swept through the totality of Mesoamerica. Ambivalent ConquesOften the Spanish Conquest is understood as a quick and relatively one-sided affair that swept through the totality of Mesoamerica. Ambivalent Conquests sheds light on the experience of the Maya following the arrival of the Spanish in the Americas and their subsequent resistance (and alliance) with the conquistadors as they expanded the Spanish Empire. Clendinnen does a remarkable job of humanizing the Maya, who like other native groups are often rendered silent in Conquest histories. Readers will also find her treatment of the Spanish, particularly the infamous Diego de Landa, both enlightening and unique from other texts available on this subject matter. As a whole, Ambivalent Conquests epitomizes why Clendinnen and her scholarship are so respected in the field today....more
One of the most popular and comprehensive primary sources on the Conquest, the work offers a first hand account of the Conquistador's campaign throughOne of the most popular and comprehensive primary sources on the Conquest, the work offers a first hand account of the Conquistador's campaign through Mexico and defeat of the Aztecs. There has been some academic debate as to whether or not Bernal Diaz was actually there - as much of the work has clearly been lifted from Gomara's historia - but that debate is (in my humble opinion) still in its infancy. Diaz's account will probably be the most interesting work to lay people and does offer a vivid and moving description of the pre-Columbian Mexican world. Given it's intrinsic biases though, pairing it with a more critical modern interpretation of the Conquest (such as Restall's Seven Myths...) is strongly recommended....more
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